Award Winning Children's Books

Winners and honor books from the 2026 Youth Media Awards.

Updated February 9, 2026
Carver County Library Carver County Library
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Award Winning Children's Books

Winners and honor books from the 2026 Youth Media Awards.

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Bat and the business of ferrets
Arnold, Elana K.
Paper Book
The bestselling Bat returns! Bat and the Business of Ferrets is the fourth title in National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold's heartfelt and widely acclaimed series featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum. Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed "Bat") is...
Every Monday Mabel
Awan, Jashar
A Caldecott Honor Book Five starred reviews! "An arm-pumping, truck-horn toot to each person reveling in their own 'garbage.'" --BCCB (starred review) From the creator of I'm Going to Build a Snowman comes a "enthusiastic,...
Stalactite & Stalagmite : a big tale from a little cave
Beckmeyer, Drew
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Book Four starred reviews! "Both gloriously expansive and goofy--in short, everything young readers could ask for." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A hilarious and thought-provoking picture book about two little cave rock...
Fireworks
Burgess, Matthew
Fireworks is a sparkling picture book from the award-winning team of Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, highlighting the simple delights of a steamy July day in the city as two siblings eagerly anticipate a spectacular fireworks display. POP! As a hot day sizzles into...
Buffalo dreamer
Duncan, Violet
Paper Book
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * An illuminating novel about the importance of reclaiming the past, based on the author's family history Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning...
Stop that mop!
Fenske, Jonathan
Paper Book
Winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Chase a runaway mop in this hilarious, rhyming Level 1 Ready-to-Read by award-winning author-illustrator Jonathan Fenske! Meet a mop. The mop does not want to mop the slop. See the mop run away. Can anyone stop this mop...
Fresh start
Galligan, Gale
Paper Book
Outstanding Comics Award for Children Honor Book * Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book From New York Times bestselling author Gale Galligan comes a funny and vibrant semi-autobiographical middle-grade graphic novel about friendship and belonging. Ollie Herisson's...
The undead fox of Deadwood Forest
Hartman, Aubrey
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Award Book! A fox and a badger begrudgingly team up to change their destinies in this endearing middle grade novel--perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate.   ★ ...
Our lake
Kang, Angie
Paper Book
A 2026 Randolph Caldecott Honor A tender and vulnerable exploration of love and loss that follows two boys as they take their first trip back to the lake without their father, from debut author-illustrator Angie Kang. Today, Brother is taking me up to swim in the...
At last she stood : how Joey Guerrero spied, survived, and fought for freedom
Kelly, Erin Entrada
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Honor Book An ALA Notable Book Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Chicago Public Library Best Book ...
The teacher of nomad land : a World War II story
Nayeri, Daniel
Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature Page-turning WW2 hidden history masterfully told by award winner Daniel Nayeri 1941. The German armies are storming across Europe. Iran is a neutral country occupied by British forces on one side,...
The keeper of stories
Pritchard, Caroline Kusin
Paper Book
A Sydney Taylor Book Award Picture Book Honor Three starred reviews! In this "poignant" (Booklist, starred review) and uplifting true story of community, a neighborhood comes together in the wake of a library fire to save the stories within, offering...
Octopus moon
Pyron, Bobbie
Paper Book
A deeply moving middle grade novel in verse about a girl struggling with depression when she starts fifth grade amidst a sea of changes. A 2025 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Pearl loves watching the majestic loggerhead turtles and octopuses...
Lost at Windy River : a true story of survival
Rathgeber, Trina
Paper Book
★"Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children's nonfiction collection." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review It takes courage and bravery to survive...
Will's race for home : a western
Rhodes, Jewell Parker
Paper Book
★ Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Award! ★ ★ A New York Times bestseller! ★ ★ "Rhodes deftly captures a unique ­aspect of this historical event, with a perspective...
Chooch helped
Rogers, Andrea L.
Paper Book
Every big sister knows the feeling: little brothers get away with EVERYTHING! Meet Sissy, who's had it up to here with her two-year-old brother Chooch. No matter what chaos he creates in their loving Cherokee family--and trust us, there's a lot--their parents just smile and say...
The history of We
Smith, Nikkolas
An awe-inspiring picture book about the origin and advancement of humans, from author and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith. Fossil records show that the first humans were born in Africa. Meaning, every person on Earth can trace their ancestry back...
All the blues in the sky
Watson, Ren?
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal A New York Times bestseller | A USA Today bestseller | A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year | A Kirkus Best Book of the Year | A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year | A Chicago Public Library...
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